23. The Committee is concerned that, despite the legally available exceptions to the prohibition of abortion, safe abortion remains largely inaccessible due to the stigma associated to voluntary termination of pregnancy in the society and to its relatively high cost and the fact that it is not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme. The Committee is concerned by the percentage of unsafe abortion-related maternal deaths (Arts.3, 6, 7 and 17).

24. The State party should increase its efforts to reduce maternal mortality resulting from unsafe abortions, by adapting its regulations on pregnancy and abortion so as to ensure that women do not have to undertake unsafe abortions. It should also ensure that voluntary termination of pregnancy should be available to individuals regardless of their means, for example, by considering incorporation into the National Health Insurance Scheme. It should also implement awareness-raising policies to combat stigmatisation of women and girls who seek abortion, and ensure access to contraception and adequate and affordable reproductive health services for all women and adolescents.